'Absence of rear door made rescue difficult'

17 PEOPLE KILLED AS FIRE ENGULFS HYDERABAD BUILDING

- Gulf News Report

Seventeen people, including eight children, were killed in a huge fire that broke out in a building in the old city of Hyderabad yesterday, police said.

The incident occurred at Gulzar Houz near the historic Charminar. The dead include two children and four women.

Director General of Police Jitender told mediapersons after visiting the accident site that 17 people were shifted to various hospitals.

"Eight of those shifted to Yashoda Hospital have been declared dead by doctors. We are gathering information about others," he said.

Minutes later, Telangana Fire Disaster Response Emergency and Civil Defence issued a statement listing 17 dead.

A witness to the blaze said the fire was concentrated mainly at the back of the building, making rescue efforts difficult.

'Broke through a wall'

Eyewitness Zahid recounted the desperate attempts by locals to save those trapped inside.